NEW Requirements for the Major

Beginning Fall 2013, the Psychology Department will implement new major and minor requirements (described below). All students declaring a Psychology Major or Minor during or after Fall 2013 must follow these new guidelines. Students who declared their Psychology Major or Minor before Fall 2013 may choose to follow the new major requirements or the old major requirements in consultation with their advisor.

Each student, with the approval of her major adviser, elects a carefully planned program of course selections designed to meet the following requirements:

Majors must take a minimum of ten courses, including the foundational courses in psychology (100, 201, 202).

Basis

PSY 100 (was 111) Introduction to Psychology

MATH 190/PSY 201 (was PSY 190) Statistical Methods

PSY 202 (was PSY 192) Introduction to Research Methods

Students should normally complete these foundational courses by the end of their sophomore year. Foundational courses must be taken using the regular grading option (not S/U).

Beyond the basis, students are encouraged to sample courses across the following major curricular tracks of study, both within the department and across other departments as well:

Competence in the major is demonstrated by sufficient breadth and depth of course selections.

Breadth is achieved by selecting one course within each of the department's three curricular areas. Depth is achieved by selecting at least two colloquia (PSYCHOLOGY courses with numbers 200 or above) as well as two courses at the advanced level (300- or above), at least one of which is a seminar. Note that 200-level courses from other departments (e.g., EDC 238, ESS 220, EDC 239) count as Psychology Breadth courses but DO NOT COUNT AS PSYCHOLOGY COLLOQUIA. Furthermore, depth requires that at least one course at the advanced level combines with the student's other courses to create a constellation of three courses that represent a depth in a field of study that is important to the student and recognized by the department. Students may count no more than three 100-level courses toward the major, not including PSY100. Although we discourage the use of the S/U option for courses in the major, students are allowed to take one non-foundational courses S/U. All students (including transfer students) must take at least one colloquium and one advanced seminar within the Department.

Each student is strongly encouraged to work closely with her major adviser to define a full program of study, and to attend various departmental colloquia.

In particular, any student planning a career in academic or professional psychology, social work, personnel work involving guidance or counseling, psychological research or paraprofessional occupations in mental health settings or special education programs should regularly consult her major adviser regarding desirable sequencing of courses.

Information about graduate programs in psychology and allied fields may be obtained from members of the department.

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR

Working closely with her minor adviser, each student desiring to minor in psychology must meet the following requirements:

Six semester courses including two of the three courses that comprise the foundational courses for the major, and four additional courses selected from at least two of the three areas. In addition, one of these four courses must be a colloquium and one must be a seminar. Note that 200-level courses from other departments (e.g., EDC 238, ESS 220, EDC 239) count as Psychology Breadth courses but DO NOT COUNT AS PSYCHOLOGY COLLOQUIA. All courses must be taken using the regular grading option.

Basis

PSY 100 (was 111) Introduction to Psychology

MATH 190/PSY201 (was 190) Statistical Methods

PSY 202 (was 192) Introduction to Research Methods

The basis must be completed before entering the senior year

Minors must then complete no less than four additional courses from at least two of the department's three curricular tracks of study. One of these four additional courses must be a seminar.